Watery diarrhoea
Type: Symptom
Definition
The sudden, frequent passage of completely unformed, liquid stools.
Clinical Details
The bacteria produce a potent enterotoxin that severely disrupts fluid absorption in the small intestine while simultaneously promoting fluid secretion. The massive volume of water overwhelms the colon's ability to reabsorb it, leading to the rapid expulsion of entirely liquid waste. This profuse fluid loss heavily dehydrates the patient over several days.